Great Friends, Great Places, Great Times

We have these great friends, April & Travis.

We've been friends with them basically since we moved to Lake Wylie.  We enjoy a lot of the same things so we spend a lot of time together {when April's not working}.  They don't have any kids {uh hmm} so Nora's the closest thing to a kid to them.  She loves them.  They're like an aunt & uncle to her.  They're the type of friends that will do anything you need.  Like when we lived with them for at least a month while we fixed up our house.  It's easy to hang out with them and do nothing or work together and put on a sweet party.  For the past several years they have begged us to go to the beach with them but every year there's something going on the same time that we can't.  This year Aaron' was working in Tennessee so Nora & I went for a few days.  They have a very nice condo they rent in a nice part of North Myrtle Beach.  It's no secret I'm not a big fan of Myrtle Beach {shocking, I know!}.  The beach was pretty but the accommodations were really sweet.  Nora had all the attention a girl could want with all of Travis' family around.  The drive wasn't my favorite but luckily Nora is so easy & good.  Here's a few pictures from the few days we were there:

Enjoying Krispy Kreme

Swimming in one of the 2 big pools.  There was also 2 kiddie pools, a hot tub, and a lazy river.

Travis playing with Nora.

Chasing the birds.  The same birds Travis feeds constantly to annoy people.  Good thing the beach is flat & really wide.

Loving the beach toys they got her.

Asking for more water.  You can see their place in the top right corner.  It was beach front. 

Can't decide which tool to use!

She just loves water!

Happy girl.

April & Travis, thanks for letting us enjoy the beach with y'all!  We love you!

Beach Baby

In case you missed the memo last year, we have a beach baby!  Nora loves any kind of water and the sand isn't too bad to her either.

Oh and in case you missed the last 8 years' memos, we go to the best beach ever each year.  And it helps make it even better that family lives there already!

I already mentioned that this year was far different than the past 7.  We had to "give up" the annual beach month.  (Don't worry, it will be back next year!)  Thankfully we got to go for a week though.  (Note:  I have the BEST aunts anyone could ask for.  They let encourage Nora and I to come with them year after year!  It's okay y'all can all be jealous.  They're really THAT great!)  So here's pictures from this year's jammed pack week:

Ruby, Suzy, & Nora playing the piano at The Johnsons

Nora thinking she's a big girl with someone's DS

Ruby & Aunt Molly helping Nora swim

Nora being entertained.  They never let her get bored.  =)

Goggle girls Lily & Suzy

Smothering love.  More proof Nora was always entertained

Elle with Millie & Nora in their floaties.  (Too bad it's sideways...)

Riley loved giving all the kids wagon rides. Especially Nora & Millie since they were quite light compared to the others. 

The wagon riders.  They loved it!

Suzy relaxing on the beach in her matching sunglasses & swimsuit.

Lucy waiting for her wagon ride.

Riley entertaining with sand & water.  He's going to be such a great big brother to

Suzy & Riley with the dead seahorse Riley found.

Close up of the cute {gross} seahorse.

Polka dot girls.  Love.

So sweet.  We have the best Tutu!  Lily & Riley playing with Tutu.

Isn't that cute? Riley's giving the girls a ride on the paddle board.  Beau was probably entertaining the rest of the kids. =)

This girl loves to get you all sandy and wet!

Oh, but she's getting good a throwing tantrums, too!

(Sorry it's sideways) Nora fell asleep in the wagon on a walk with Karen.

Seriously lucky me & lucky girl.  That's a good baby!

Isn't that the life!

The kids made up a game of who-can-stay-on-the-paddle-board-longest. 

More polka dot girls!  Nora & Elle.

A wagon on the beach with big buckets of water to play in is pure genius!

Another walk with Aunt Karen.

Such a cute picture! This is how they carried the paddle board in from the ocean.  They are all such good kids!

The little girls with their "babysitter", Ruby.  She LOVES them.  Like loves to hold, squeeze, kiss, whatever them.  That's like true family love. <3

Like every year, Nora & I had a fabulous time.  There is nothing like Siesta Key, family, the sun shinning, white sand, clear water, and a slight breeze.  Only thing that would have made it even better was if Aaron could have been there with us.  We sure did miss him!!  Nora & I are so blessed to have family that loves us & wants us to tag along and even more blessed to have Aaron working hard for us, even while we're playing on vacation.  We love you family and Aaron!!  XOXOXO